Air Fryer Jacket Potatoes: A Quick, Easy Treat?

Yes, you can cook jacket potatoes in an air fryer! The process is simple, quick, and can be more energy-efficient than using an oven. The result is a jacket potato with a crispy skin and a fluffy inside.

How to prepare the potatoes

Preparing jacket potatoes in an air fryer is a simple and quick process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, select your potatoes. The best kind for jackets is the floury kind. A large Maris Piper or a King Edward are good choices. You can also use sweet potatoes, but you will need to adjust the cooking time. Give each potato a good wash and scrub, and pat dry with kitchen paper or a towel.

Next, poke some holes in the potatoes with a fork or skewer. This will allow steam to escape and prevent the potatoes from bursting. Brush or drizzle a little oil over the surface of each potato and rub it into their skins. The oil will help the potatoes to achieve a crispy skin. You can use olive oil or sunflower oil.

Then, season the potatoes with a pinch of salt, or to taste. You can also add other seasonings like garlic powder, parsley, or celery salt if you want extra flavour.

Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, leaving enough space between them to ensure proper air circulation. Do not wrap the potatoes in foil, as this will make the skin soggy.

Set the air fryer to 200°C and cook for 40-50 minutes, depending on the size of your potatoes. For smaller potatoes, you may only need to cook for 40-45 minutes. For larger potatoes, 50-60 minutes may be needed. Check on the potatoes halfway through and turn them over to ensure even cooking and crisping.

To check if the potatoes are done, pierce them with a sharp knife or skewer. If the knife goes through easily and the potatoes are soft and fluffy on the inside, they are ready.

Finally, carefully remove the potatoes from the air fryer and slice them open. Add butter, cheese, or your favourite toppings and enjoy!

How to cook the potatoes

Ingredients

You will need:

• Baking potatoes (floury varieties like Maris Piper or King Edward work well)
• Extra virgin olive oil or sunflower oil
• Salt (garlic salt or celery salt work too)
• Your choice of toppings (e.g. butter, cheese, sour cream, chives, etc.)

Method

• Preheat your air fryer to 200°C (400°F).
• Wash and scrub the potatoes, then pat them dry with kitchen paper.
• Using a fork, poke some holes in the potatoes.
• Drizzle or brush the potatoes with oil and rub it into the skin.
• Sprinkle the potatoes with salt and any other desired seasonings.
• Place the potatoes in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Cook for 40-55 minutes, or until the potatoes are soft and fluffy on the inside. Check the potatoes after 20 minutes and turn them over halfway through cooking to ensure even crispiness.
• To check if the potatoes are ready, pierce them with a sharp knife or skewer; if the knife goes through easily, they are done.
• Carefully remove the potatoes from the air fryer and slice them open.
• Add your desired toppings and enjoy!

Tips

• If you're short on time, you can speed up the cooking process by microwaving the potatoes for 8-10 minutes before placing them in the air fryer for 20-25 minutes.
• Avoid wrapping the potatoes in foil, as this will make the skin soggy.
• If you want to add some spice to your potatoes, rub them with chilli powder, cayenne pepper, paprika, or cumin before cooking.

How to check if the potatoes are done

There are several ways to check if your jacket potatoes are done in the air fryer. Firstly, you can use a fork to pierce the potato—if it goes through easily, then your potato is ready. You can also check by gently squeezing the potato—if it feels soft, then it's done. Another way to tell is by looking at the skin—if it's crispy and golden, then your potato is likely ready. Finally, you can use a sharp knife to test if the potato is cooked through. If the knife slides in easily, then your jacket potato is done.

It's important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size of your potato and the model of your air fryer. Most recipes recommend cooking potatoes in the air fryer for around 40 to 50 minutes, but it's always a good idea to check on them periodically to ensure they don't overcook.

How to serve the potatoes

Once your potatoes are cooked, remove them from the air fryer basket and slice them in half. You can then add your desired toppings.

• Butter
• Grated cheese
• Sour cream
• Greek yogurt
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Crumbed feta
• Chopped fresh herbs like chives or dill
• Chopped green onions
• Baked beans
• Tuna mayonnaise
• Chili
• Vegan cream
• Herbs
• Peppers
• Olives
• Other vegetables

How to store leftover potatoes

Yes, you can make jacket potatoes in an air fryer! Here's a recipe for you to try:

Air Fryer Baked Potato

Ingredients:

• 2 medium russet potatoes
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Sea salt
• Desired toppings (e.g. butter, salt, pepper, chives, sour cream, etc.)

Method:

• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F.
• Use a fork to poke a few holes in the potatoes. Place them on a plate.
• Rub the potatoes with olive oil and sprinkle them liberally with sea salt.
• Transfer the potatoes to the air fryer basket and air fry for 40 to 60 minutes, or until the potatoes are fork-tender and the skin is crisp.
• Slice open each potato, fluff the insides, and serve with your desired toppings.

Now, if you have leftover potatoes, here's how to store them:

Leftover baked potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer. Here are some detailed steps to ensure your leftover potatoes stay fresh and maintain their flavour:

Storing in the Refrigerator:

• Allow the potatoes to cool down to room temperature. Be careful not to leave them out for more than 2 hours, as this could pose a food safety issue.
• Wrap each potato in plastic wrap, ensuring they are sealed tightly to prevent air from getting inside.
• Store the wrapped potatoes in the refrigerator. They should last for 3 to 5 days.

Storing in an Airtight Container:

• Allow the potatoes to cool down to room temperature.
• Place the potatoes in an airtight container, such as a plastic container with a lock lid or a plastic storage bag.
• Store the container in the refrigerator. This method will also keep the potatoes fresh for 3 to 5 days.

Storing in the Freezer:

• Allow the potatoes to cool down to room temperature completely.
• Place the potatoes in the freezer, ensuring they are not touching each other.
• Once frozen, take them out and place them in an airtight plastic bag or wrap them individually in aluminium foil.
• Store them in the freezer until you're ready to use them. They can last up to 6 months in the freezer.

When reheating your leftover potatoes, the oven is the best method to retain the crispy skin and fluffy texture. Simply place the unwrapped potatoes on a baking sheet and heat them in the oven for about 20 minutes.

Frequently asked questions